Newsletters

XML Feeds

NCAT strives to make our information available to everyone who needs it. If you are a limited-access or low-income farmer and find that one of our publications is just not in your budget, please call 800-346-9140.

Comparing Energy Use in Conventional and Organic Cropping Systems

Introduction

Energy consumption can vary significantly between conventional and organic production systems when accounting for direct energy inputs as well as indirect energy involved in manufacturing, shipping and applying pesticides and nitrogen-based fertilizers. Because organic agriculture reduces the amount of indirect energy inputs, it is often assumed that organic agriculture is less energy intensive than conventional agriculture. However, this is not always the case.

Table of Contents

Energy use in agriculture
Comparison considerations
Studies
Rodale Institute
University of California
University of Manitoba
Washington State University
Switzerland Research Institute of Organic Agriculture
Agricultural University of Norway
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Energy use in organic farming systems
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Environmental Impacts of Food Production and Consumption
Soil Association responds to the Manchester Business School report
University College Dublin
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
Conclusion
References
Further resources

Note: Digital downloads are in full color. Printed, mailed copies are only available in black & white.

The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service - ATTRA - is developed and managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).
Visit the NCAT website for more information on our other sustainable agriculture and energy projects.